Star Wars: Three new movies confirmed to celebrate, including the return of Daisy Ridley as Rey

In recent years, most of the Star Wars stories told have been shown on the small screen, since the Mandalorian AND Boba Fett’s bookFor Obi-Wan Kenobi AND Andor. In the sprawling cinematic arm of Space Opera, meanwhile, there have been cases of false starts and canceled projects. But on stage at Star Wars Celebration 2023 in London, Kathleen Kennedy confirmed a new plan Star Wars‘ film production, with acclaimed directors and a major centerpiece attached.

Three new Star Wars movies were confirmed at the Lucasfilm panel, but not by name. But even if the titles won’t be available for a while yet, we have some information. The announced films will be directed by none other than Logano AND Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny director James Mangold; the Mandalorian co-creator and longtime padawan of George Lucas himself, Dave Filoni; and Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, who previously directed episodes of Mrs. Wonder, and is a renowned documentarian. Each film, Kennedy explained, takes place in a very different part of the new big screen. Star Wars timeline

For Mangold’s film, go back to the beginning, exploring “the first Jedi to wield the Force.” This dates back to the first part of the recently updated Star Wars era set, Dawn of the Jedi. Meanwhile, in the midst of the long-running Skywalker saga, Filoni will direct a big-screen adventure tied to the Mandalorian, a “cinematic event” that chronicles a vital part of the “growing war between the imperial remnants and the New Republic”. He will continue to develop the time between return of the jedi AND the force awakens — though it’s currently unknown if it will mark a final chapter in the wider ‘order–verse, or if the epic story of Filoni and Jon Favreau will continue beyond the history of the big screen.

Finally, Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy’s film will be set at the end of the Star Wars timeline, 15 years later. Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker. His film, set in an era described as the New Jedi Order, will focus on creating a new and bountiful era of Force users in the wake of the Skywalker saga. And the Jedi who build this future? None other than Rey herself, with Daisy Ridley confirmed to be returning to the role she originated in the sequel trilogy. “My heart is pounding,” Ridley said as she took the stage at Celebration to thunderous applause from the audience.

When exactly are these films coming out, which one will arrive first, and if so, will it meet the proposed December 2025 release window that Disney has long been targeting. Star Wars movie is all to see. But the Celebration panel felt like a clear statement: that Star Wars has a cinematic agenda, that there are entirely new eras to explore, and that the Force will be with us for a long time. This is the way.